Full Class Proudly Receives Semicha in Pretoria

The Yeshiva LeRabbonus Pretoria celebrated the ordination of its class of ’83 and 84′ at the Tekes Hahasmacha Thursday, Elul 9th.

The event marks the ninth year of the Yeshiva LeRabbonus and the first year that the entire class group completed both the pre semicha and semicha programs.

The evening began with an address given by the chief Rabbi of South Africa, Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, who impressed upon the new temimim hamusmachim the importance of mantaining a daily regimen of learning, stressing that blessing and success flows from limud haTorah. The chief Rabbi also advised that finding areas of interest guarantees this daily learning schedule, especially given the degree of disctracions the modern world presents.

Rabbi Chaim Finkelstein, the Rosh Yeshiva and one of the rabbonim hamasmichim, addressed the yeshiva with a parting message to the outgoing class, that building guardrails around one’s roof, one’s mind, will go along way to prevent the invetible “falling from grace” after leaving the confines of the yeshiva environment. He also mentioned that the final semicha examination was still to come- the test that life and the mayim rabim will pose, with the imperative on excelling in this test above all else.

The event continued with a message from the valedictorian, Harav Hatomim Michoel Rosenbaum, on behalf of the student body, thanking the hanhola and board for the two years of growth in the yeshiva and looking forward to their next phase of life, including the shlichus in other yeshivos they will be doing.

Dayan Rabbi Gidon Fox, menahel of the yeshiva and one of the rabbonim mamasmichim, addressed the bochrim urging them to use their gains in the yeshiva to emulate the Rebbe in being concerened for the wellfare of other yidden, ending with the quote that people don’t care what you know; they want to know that you care.

The evening came to a close with words of encouragement and gratitude from Mr Gavin Yuter, head of the Pretoria Jewish community.

The past two years have been ones of discovery for the young musmachim, not just in their ability to learn and apply halacha, but also in their new sense of purpose and avoda. Some have awakened to the importance of davening baavoda, some to hafotza and some to servicing the needs of other yidden. The culmiation of these years was celebrated and experienced by some of their parents, who made it in for the last Shabbos, farbrenging and seeing for themselves how the yeshiva cultivates these awakenings from within.

We wish the rabbonim hatemimim success in their futrue.